Pharmaceutical industry pays tribute to Matt

THE role of Enniscorthy native Matt Browne in building up the country's pharmaceutical industry was recognised at a ceremony in Dublin's Mansion House recently. The man from Blackstoops was handed the Liz Herbert Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award' by his colleagues.

The 70-year-old former Rapparees and Wexford hurler began his apprenticeship as a pharmacist with the late Padraig Garahy in Rafter Street in 1958. After qualifying in the mid sixties, rather than going behind the shop counter, he became a sales representative for a medical company.

He went on to become the first non- German chief executive of the giant Hoechst corporation's Irish operation. He spent 35 years with the company before retiring and he now resides in Dalkey with his wife Joan (née Bernie) who hails from Ferns.

He is a former president of the Irish Pharmaceutical Society and of the Federation of the Irish Chemical Industry and he returns regularly to visit his native Enniscorthy. The award ceremony was compered by broadcaster John Bowman.